Despite government’s efforts to expand the production of localized import-substituting products, Uzbekistan has seen unreasonable growth in imports, which leads to inefficient use of foreign currency resources that could be directed at projects aimed at further expansion of domestic production and creation of new jobs. This was reported at the 19 April teleconference chaired by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The teleconference addressed the strengthening of officials' personal responsibility of at all levels for optimizing the volume and structure of imports by deepening the localization of the production and increasing exports, Uzbek media reported.

This coming spring Kazakhstan may, as every year, face a significant decrease of water level in the transboundary rivers with China – the country, which refuses to negotiate the water usage regulations.

Transported goods from Ukraine to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will rise anywhere from $2,900 to 4,500 USD and will take seven days longer as Kremlin keeps dictating its terms for transit through its territory.

Asian Development Bank's (ADB) assistance to Tajikistan this year is expected to be around $107 million, followed by projected investments of $108 million and $104 million in 2018 and 2019, respectively, Azerbaijani media azernews.az reported citing ADB's officials.